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FBI field offices ordered to shift focus, assign more agents to immigration crackdown

The Department of Justice “expects a significant increase in the number of agents participating in immigration enforcement operations”

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FILE - An FBI seal is seen on a wall on Aug. 10, 2022, in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)

Charlie Neibergall/AP

WASHINGTON — FBI field offices across the country have been ordered to dramatically increase agent involvement in immigration enforcement operations, NBC News reported.

The orders were delivered mid May in internal memos and meetings, according to multiple current and former FBI officials who spoke to NBC News. The directive aligns with broader changes under the Trump administration, which is proposing a 5% cut to the FBI’s budget.

One memo obtained by NBC News instructs field offices to raise their “operational tempo” on immigration cases. The Department of Justice “expects a significant increase in the number of agents participating in immigration enforcement operations,” the memo reads.

Under the new orders:

  • 45% of all agents in the 25 largest field offices will work full-time on immigration enforcement.
  • Atlanta’s field office will assign 67 agents to these duties—half of its headquarters staff.
  • Los Angeles will create nine squads dedicated to identifying and detaining noncitizens.
  • Boston will assign 33 additional agents to immigration work.
  • The department aims to have 2,000 FBI agents across the country working full time on immigration enforcement at any one time, according to one memo
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Joanna Putman is an Associate Editor and newswriter at Police1, where she has been covering law enforcement topics since August 2023. Based in Orlando, Florida, she holds a journalism degree from the University of Florida and spent two years working in nonprofit local newsrooms, gaining experience in community-focused reporting. Married to a law enforcement officer, she works hard to highlight the challenges and triumphs of those who serve and protect. Have a news tip? Email her at news@lexipol.com